Watch spring bars attached to the case and not removable?

Look like they are soldered in. Get a soldering iron and it shouldn't be a problem, I think 🤔

Lots of examples of fixed spring bars back then.

Ah! I had no idea about that... How did they typically attach bracelets then? How about replacing them?

Nato or single pass straps.

There are leather bands that are open-ended such that you get to glue them shut. If a search for "open end watch band" doesn't yield desired results, try ofrei.com. Should that fail, I'll have to do real looking myself. You could also do the sheet metal Don Juan type bracelet, if you're into that sort of thing.

Oh yes indeed. I happen to work in a research lab and we have a soldering iron just next door haha, I'll try this afternoon. Pray for me not to damage anything...

However, what do I do after soldering it out? I expect there won't be a pinhole there to put a normal spring drive.. And I don't see how I could solder it back with a leather bracelet on.

haha, I'd go for the open ended strap :-) Either glue it shut or use a Chicago screw:

Let us know how you fare!

This is common for the period.

There are leather straps that just clip on as well; they are also relatively cheap and cheerful.

Failing that - Perlon. Actually quite a nice option.

I have a few of the clip on open ended leather straps. You can't tell by looking at them. They are harder to find but not expensive.

The Vario straps are open ended and then secured with a screw in the back of the rivet. It’s cheap enough to be able to put the bund to one side and just use the strap. Might be an option 👍

Fixed lug watches were very common, once upon a time.

Especially for military applications, but not always.

Good thinking, I kinda assumed there would be some holes.... Probably best to take advice of others and get a leather nato strap 👌🏻

Whatever you do, DON'T take a soldering iron to it! That's a beautiful watch by the way.

yes, I'm looking alternative strap options at the moment. I won't put a soldering iron near it 🙂 Thanks!!

Not investigated in a long time but Hirsch watch straps were open ended needed a small spray that activated the adhesive embedded on the strap. Small clamps finished the task. It was done by strap sellers but similar products must still be available.

Have you ever seen this done? I'm quite scared of being in a situation where the watch gets damaged. I'm looking into Nato style leather and there are options but not many around Europe, and I don't want to go through the trouble and expense of shipping something form the US etc...

Bonklip bracelet if you want something in the metal, and Colareb Straps make some nice open ended leather straps that wrap around the fixed bar if that's more your speed.

Those bars do not look like a factory work, there seems to be a poorly done job. I would say take it to a jeweler - not watchmaker - and ask him to cut them out and drill some lug holes all the way to the other side. That's what I would do, at least.

There are leather straps you can feed thru, e.g. this

See www.thestraptailor.com I’m just discussing with him a leather strap for my FXD that’s not a single pass /nato style. I currrntly wear the FXD on a Zuludiver Octopod strap which I’m finding to be really comfortable

The Octopod is vastly underrated. Might not be for everyone and it doesn't have a taper, but it is a great alternative to the NATO hardware dislikers.

It will be interesting to see if Geckota comes up with a way for a micro adjust buckle.

Was thinking the same, a vintage Bonklip would be perfect

Most watches starting with the ww1 trench watch had fixed spring bars. The straps where either stitched on or glued on. I learned this when I acquired a strapless ww1 trench watc. My solution was to call Arron Bespoke, a custom strap maker in Toronto. He made me a strap that included IWC strap screws. ( a flat screw with a flat backer) it was a simple solution from a really great company, good luck, gary

I ran into the same problem with a ‘80s Seiko. I ended up cutting the old strap off and going with a NATO.

If watch has fixed bars (like many were back then), it's meant to be on a nato or pass strap! Don't ruin the watch by breaking them off!

I think you are stuck with natos and Zulus bud.

I had no idea of the existance of such think like a chicago screw. Thank you very much, I learned something today.